Packers' pass defense needs overhauled

The NFL combine starts Feb. 20. Every team will be looking to fill multiple holes on both sides of the ball.

The Packers may be searching for a new pair of starting cornerbacks if Sam Shields leaves via free agency. (Jeff Hanisch – USA TODAY Sports)

After a season where Aaron Rodgers missed seven games due to injury, the Packers have bigger concerns. Green Bay’s secondary continues to be the team’s top issue. The Packers haven’t finished as a Top 20 defense against the pass since 2011. Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears lay claim to Top 5 passing offenses. The Packers have multiple areas in which they can improve, but none are more pressing than their secondary.

Here are the Packers’ top areas of need as they prepare for the draft:

1. Cornerback

Fixing the defensive backfield must be high on the Packers’ to-do list. Giving up 233 passing yards per game, the Packers had just 11 interceptions in 2013, tying for fifth-worst in the league. Green Bay was low on interceptions despite facing four of the six-most pick-prone quarterbacks in the league. Sam Shields, who had four interceptions and was one of the bright spots on the Green Bay defense, is a free agent who was injured in the playoffs. Even if the Packers can hold on to Shields, the team will still need to address the other side of the field as Tramon Williams was not effective. The Packers desperately need a playmaker.

Possible picks (By Brent Sobleski)

Jason Verrett (TCU): The Packers aren’t in an ideal slot to select a cornerback in the first round. The top two cornerbacks may not be available with the 21st pick. Verrett is very talented, but he lacks ideal size. There is also the possibility a talented cornerback will surface at the combine and develop into a first round option.

Bashaud Breeland (Clemson): If the Packers can find a suitable choice in the first round, Breeland is a very talented option in the second. Breeland has good length at 6-0 and 185 pounds. He led Clemson with four interceptions and 13 broken up passes.

2. Tight end

Jermichael Finley suffered a frightening injury to his spinal cord in 2013, ending one of the best seasons of his career. Finley and the Packers are in a tough position. He is rehabilitating from spinal fusion surgery and working to get back to playing shape. He’s also a free agent coming off a huge contract. There is no guarantee he will be back as a Packer or that he will return as the same player. Andrew Quarless, who filled in for Finley competently but wasn’t the same kind of playmaker, is also a free agent and will draw interest.

Possible picks

Jace Amaro (Texas Tech): If the Packers deem tight end enough of a concern to warrant a first round pick, Amaro is an ideal candidate. Amaro was more wide receiver than tight end at Texas Tech. He led all collegiate tight ends with 106 receptions and 1,352 receiving yards.

Jacob Pedersen (Wisconsin): Pedersen isn’t the same type of athlete Amaro is, but he has a knack of getting open. As a reliable yet undersized (6-3, 242) target, Pedersen can provide valuable depth as a late-round possibility.

3. Backup quarterback

The Green Bay Packers are one play away from once again experiencing life without Aaron Rodgers. (Mike DiNovo – USA TODAY Sports)

Before 2013, Aaron Rodgers had missed two games over five seasons. His durability was so assumed that the Packers didn’t prepare for his injury. The Packers were unprepared when Rodgers broke his collarbone in a Monday night game with Chicago. This plan should start with holding on to Matt Flynn. Though he is a free agent, he is also the backup most comfortable with the Packers. He is not enough, however. Whether or not the Packers keep Flynn, drafting a quarterback in the mid to late rounds would make sense.

Possible picks

Aaron Murray (Georgia): With Rodgers and possibly Flynn already on the roster, the Packers don’t have to invest heavily in another quarterback. Murray may be the perfect compromise. Murray was considered a third round pick before he tore an ACL late in the season.

Tajh Boyd (Clemson): Boyd was considered a potential first round quarterback before concerns arose about his game. Boyd is still a good athlete with a top-notch work ethic. He’s the type of late-round prospect a team can develop as a backup.

4. Nose tackle

Longtime Packer Ryan Pickett is a free agent who has been in the league 12 years. His production fell off in 2013, and the Packers need to replace him. Rookie Josh Boyd backed up Pickett in 2013, so there’s already young talent at the position. The Packers might look for a better solution in free agency and resort to drafting another young player if they whiff.

Possible picks

Louis Nix III (Notre Dame): Nix is a potential Top 10 selection if he checks out medically at the NFL combine. Nix tore an MCL in November, and he had issues with the knee prior to the injury. If Nix starts to slide and the Packers are comfortable with his situation, he can be a dominant nose tackle in the NFL.

Justin Ellis (Louisiana Tech): Ellis won’t draw much attention as a mid-round prospect, but he’s a massive space-eater at 6-1 and 342 pounds.

5. Wide receiver

Jordy Nelson had the best year of his career, even with Rodgers missing several games. But behind him, James Jones struggled with a knee injury and is a free agent. Jarrett Boykin was inconsistent, and behind this group the Packers didn’t have many other receiving threats. The draft is the place to find one.

Possible picks

Matt Hazel (Coastal Carolina): In a very deep draft class, the Packers can wait to address the wide receiver position. Hazel is a talented mid-round prospect from a small program.

Isaiah Burse (Fresno State): He was overshadowed by teammate Davante Adams, but Burse finished with 99 receptions for 1,026 yards.